The Ohio & Erie Canalway is a National Heritage Area that preserves and celebrates the rails, trails, landscapes, towns and sites that grew up along the first 110 miles of the canal that helped Ohio and our nation grow.

You can experience the beauty, culture and history of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area while traveling along the iconic Towpath Trail, riding aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, or driving along our nationally designated America’s Byway.

Ways to Explore

The Towpath Trail

More than 2.5 million Americans find their way each year to the iconic 87-mile Towpath Trail running through the heart of the Canalway.

America's Byway

The America’s Byway is not a single road, but a carefully mapped 110-mile route through four counties and 58 communities in the National Heritage Area.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park & Metro Parks

The Canalway runs directly through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, as well as a robust system of county park districts.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

The CVSR is one of the oldest, longest and most scenic tourist excursion railways in the country, providing year-round programming along its route.

Passport Program

We work with our iconic partner sites to act as official Ohio & Erie Canalway NPS Passport Stops, with each site connected to the Canalway story.

Questing

Created for children and families, each quest features a treasure hunt, telling a story about the natural and cultural gems of the National Heritage Area and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Learn more about the National Heritage Area.